GAZA: COMBATING EXTREMISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005849 SIPDIS PASS TO R, P, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2015 TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI GAZA DISENGAGEMENT ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS COUNTERTERRORISM SUBJECT: GAZA: COMBATING EXTREMISM REF: A. JERUSALEM 02054 MAY 05 ¶B. STATE 159129 ¶C. TEL AVIV 04766 AUG 05 ¶D. TEL AVIV 3338 JUNE 05 ¶E. TEL AVIV 3788 JUNE 05 Classified By: Classified by DCM Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Gaza, the stronghold of the radical Islamist terrorist organization HAMAS, presents exceptional challenges for USG efforts to combat violent extremism. Our strategic approach is to promote Palestinian democracy, strengthen the rule of law, reform the security sector, offer economic alternatives, and encourage progress toward a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To this end, we have in place USAID programs, funded at $1.7 billion since 1993 for the West Bank and Gaza; the US Security Coordinator mission, led by General Ward; the Wolfensohn economic reform mission; and the full range of MEPI and public diplomacy programs, exchanges, and grants. Ref A details the USG democracy strategy for the West Bank and Gaza. SEPTEL gives CONGEN Jerusalem,s response to Ref B, SECSTATE 159129. ¶2. (SBU) Within this strategic approach, Post would like to highlight the following FY05 achievements in response to Ref B as significant, direct contributions to strengthening local traditions of tolerant faith, intellectual exchange, and scientific learning. -- In cooperation with the US Consulate General in Jerusalem, Post sent three moderate Islamic leaders from Gaza with their West Bank counterparts on a tailored International Visitors Leadership program. As detailed Ref C, the trio returned with a renewed commitment to promoting religious tolerance and specific ideas for advancing this agenda. -- Post awarded a $44K public diplomacy grant to the UK-based International Centre for Reconciliation, which has established centers for inter-religious cooperation in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Details are available Ref D. -- Using a variety of public diplomacy and representational events, and in cooperation with CONGEN Jerusalem, Post midwifed the formation of an inter-religious group of prominent Palestinian and Israeli women advocating non-violence. Several women from Gaza participate. -- Through Palestinian NGOs in Gaza, USAID funds media and youth outreach programs that advocate non-violence. Funding for the West Bank and Gaza totals $2M. -- A $15K MEPI small grant to the Islamic University of Gaza supports workshops in training women to work as leaders in NGOs. HAMAS dominates the charitable sector in Gaza, and providing a moderate Islamic alternative is a concrete counter to extremism. USAID,s Tamkeen project also trains moderate NGO leaders, including women. -- Under the ACCESS program, Post provided 120 non-elite teen-aged Gazans with English-language micro-scholarships and an introduction to American culture. Per Ref E, many students noted that the program had opened their minds and changed their world-view at least as much as it had improved their English. ACCESS will serve 360 Gazans in FY06. -- Gazan Fulbright scholars, with their West Bank colleagues, this year formed the first-ever Palestinian Fulbright alumni association. ECA,s alumni office provided a start-up grant of $9K. Gazan Fulbright scholars, and the graduates of USAID,s Presidential Scholars Program, which also has an alumni association, consistently provide tolerant intellectual leadership in the academic community. -- A Gazan NGO, in cooperation with an Israeli NGO and a US university, developed and is instituting a balanced civic education curriculum that promotes tolerance and understanding of &the other.8 This multi-year effort is funded by ECA. -- USAID in FY05 completed the integration into the established school curriculum of its &psychosocial support activities,8 which teach school children non-violent responses to conflict. ¶3. (C) The people of Gaza and their leaders have responded to the death of Yasser Arafat and the GOI disengagement with an intense debate on the future of their society and its institutions of governance. The influence that violent extremists exert is at the center of this public and political discourse. The ability that these groups have to impact negatively the lives of Gazans was seen the weekend of September 23-24 when Hamas' mishandling of explosives led to a cycle of violence with the IDF. Despite the images of gun-waving militants that dominate the international media, a portion of this debate is, however, being conducted through the democratic process of elections. There is also at least some evidence that the extremist groups are attuned to public opinion and that Gazans have tried to convince extremists not to undertake provocations against Israelis. The outcome of the legislative elections in January 2006, in which HAMAS will participate, will provide us with additional information to shape future programs to continue to advance the goals of the President,s freedom agenda. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES